Regional roundup: Hy-Vee, Gordmans and population leaders

Des Moines tops Midwest growth

Des Moines led regional cities in growth in the past year, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau report.

It found Iowa’s largest city grew by 2 percent between mid-2015 and mid-2016.

Fargo was second at 1.9 percent, and Sioux Falls was third at 1.5 percent.

The national average was 0.7 percent.

Gordmans remains open on The Empire Mall campus.

Gordmans closure might not be final

Plans to close more than 100 Gordmans stores, including the Sioux Falls location, might not happen.

The Omaha World-Herald reports Gordmans, which is based in Omaha, might be saved by its former CEO.

“Houston-based retailer Stage Stores Inc. and former Gordmans Chief Executive Jeff Gordman have said they plan to submit bids to operate stores on an ongoing basis,” the newspaper reported. “Any offer requires approval by the bankruptcy court, which could authorize a complete going-out-of business sale, the sale of stores to an operator or a combination of the two.”

A decision is expected by the end of the month.

Hy-Vee’s future store in Chaska, Minn.

Hy-Vee taking on developer role?

Hy-Vee has been on a rapid expansion in the Twin Cities market, and now is partnering with residential and office developers to develop areas around its stores.

The Iowa-based grocer is partnering with a developer in Shakopee, Minn., on a 130-unit apartment complex near a future store, according to Finance & Commerce.

And in Chaska, Minn., Hy-Vee is working with a medical office developer to build a 32,000-square-foot office near a planned grocery store, the Star Tribune reported.

In two years, Hy-Vee has added six stores in the Twin Cities and has several others in development.